Speeding rampage ends with arrest of Milwaukie man

Officials said a live blasting cap and stolen property was found inside the car of a Milwaukie criminal who was arrested after reportedly speeding through Portland metro-area freeways during the evening rush hour until he crashed on Wednesday.

Oregon State Police report that several drivers called 911 just after 5 p.m. to report a small orange-colored car going in and out of traffic at speeds above 100 miles per hour on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 near Wilsonville.

As troopers were trying to track the car, just after 5:30 p.m., the 2004 Ford Focus collided into another vehicle near the northbound I-205 off-ramp to Interstate 84 east. There were no injuries.

The driver, 31-year-old James George Nelson, initially attempted to give a false name to troopers before he was arrested, OSP said. Investigators then found several stolen items in the car, including a watch that had been stolen out of California. A live blasting cap and a spring-loaded knife were also discovered, along with a small amount of methamphetamine. OSP said Nelson appeared to be under in the influence of drugs at the time.

According to OSP, Nelson is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess such a knife.

A Portland police Explosives Disposal Unit was called to the scene to remove the blasting cap.

Nelson was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on counts of felony possession of a destructive device, felon in possession of a restricted weapon, driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.